Label applicator support structure

ABSTRACT

A support for a machine which utilizes compressed air comprising a base, an elongated column mounted on the base and projecting upwardly therefrom, and means for mounting the machine on the column so that the machine can be supported by the column. The column defines a chamber for compressed air and a conduit is coupled to the column for transmitting the compressed air from the chamber to the machine.

P 23, 1974} J. B. FRENCH I 3,806,395

LABEL APPLICATOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE Fil ed Sept. 15, 1972 United StatesPatent O 3,806,395 LABEL APPLICATOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE John E. French,Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Compare Corporation, Newark, NJ. FiledSept. 15, 1972, Ser. No. 289,350 Int. Cl. B65c 9/28 U.S. Cl. 156-497 10Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A support for a machine which utilizescompressed air comprising a base, an elongated column mounted on thebase and projecting upwardly therefrom, and means for mounting themachine on the column so that the machine can be supported by thecolumn. The column defines a chamber for compressed air and a conduit iscoupled to the column for transmitting the compressed air from thechamber to the machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many machines are operated by, or otherwiseutilize compressed air. For example, many label applicators usecompressed air to blow a pressure sensitive adhesive label onto anarticle.

The labels are supplied on an elongated backing strip with the labelsbeing adhesively secured to the backing strip. The label applicatorremoves the labels from the backing strip, retains each label so removedat a preselected location, and then applies the removed labels toarticles as the articles are conveyed past the label ap plicator. Ablast of compressed air is used to propel the label from the applicatorto the article.

The label applicator is supported on a stand or support. The compressedair is stored in a tank and is supplied to the label applicator by ahose. The air tank and the support for the label applicator add to thecost of the total applicator system. In addition, the air hose extendingbetween the air tank and the label applicator hinders movement and maypresent a tripping hazard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention reduces the cost andcomplexity of machines utilizing compressed air by combining thesupporting structure for the machine with the compressed air tank.Although this concept is particularly adapted for label applicators, itis also applicable to other machines which use compressed air or othercompressed gases.

According to the present invention, the air tank and the support arecombined into a single integral unit. To this end, the support includesa base, a column mounted on the base and projecting upwardly therefrom,and means for mounting the label applicator on the column. The columndefines the chamber for receiving and storing compressed air. Thus, themachine is mounted on the compressed air tank with the result that oneof the basic elements for a system of this kind is eliminated while thefunction of such eliminated element is retained. The hoses extendingbetween the air chamber and the label applicator are short and presentno hindrance to movement.

To assure that the compressed air supplied to the label applicator isdry, the conduit between the applicator and the chamber is coupled tothe column adjacent the upper end of the chamber. To facilitateelimination of con-- densation in the chamber, a drain opening isprovided in the column adjacent the lower end of the chamber.

To further minimize the length of hose connections between componentsand to enhance portability, and air compressor for supplying compressedair to the tank and a motor for driving the compressor are mounted onthe base. The entire unit is made readily portable by rollers 3,806,395Patented Apr. 23, 1974 which are provided on the base. Levelling devicesare attached to the base to permit the base to be leveled.

In addition to combining the air tank and the supporting structure, thepresent invention provides for locating of the label applicator in anydesired orientation. To this end, the rollers on the base permitmovement of the entire unit in any direction in a horizontal plane. Themounting means for the label applicator includes a column clamp, theposition of which along the column can be readily adjusted. The rollerson the base and the column clamp cooperate to provide three-axisadjustment of the location of the label applicator.

The label applicator mounting means also provides for pivoting of thelabel applicator about first and second transverse axes. To accomplishthis, the amounting means includes a U-shaped frame having a pair offlanges joined by a web. The web is pivotly connected to the columnclamp and the label applicator is pivotly connected to the flanges.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying illustrativedrawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of alabelling apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mounting means for the label applicatorwith the applicator being shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the column and the columnclamp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a labellingapparatus 11 which generally includes a support 13 and a labelapplicator 15 mounted on the support. The support 13 generally includesa base 17, a column 19 mounted on and projecting vertically upwardlyfrom the base, and mounting means 21 (FIG. 2) for mounting the labelapplicator 15 on the column 19. In the embodiment illustrated, the base17 is in the form of a plate having three corner regions to whichrollers 23 are mounted, respectively. The base 17 can be levelled bythree levelling devices 25. Each of the levelling devices 25 includes athreaded stud 27 and a nut 29 attached to the base 17 for cooperatingwith the associated stud. Each of the studs 27 terminates in broadcontact member 31 which is adapted to contact the floor or othersupporting surface for the rollers 23.

The column 19 in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of acylindrical. tube, the opposite ends of which are appropriately closedto define in a cylindrical compressed air chamber 33 (FIG. 2).Preferably the chamber 33 extends for the full axial length of thecolumn 19. The column 19 has a drain to drain water from the chamber 33,and in the embodiment illustrated, the drain includes a pipe 35 mountedon the column 19 and communicating with the lower end of the chamber 33and a manual valve 37 for selectively opening and closing the drain.

An air compressor 39 and an electric motor 41 for driving the aircompressor are suitably mounted on the base 17. A conduit 43 is coupledto the compressor 39 and the column 19 to supply air from the compressorto the lower end of the chamber 33.

The upper end of the column 19 is closed by a plate 45. A pressureswitch 47 is mounted on the plate 45 and is in communication with thecompressed air within the chamber 33. The pressure switch 47 closes whenthe pressure within the chamber 33 drops to a predetermined level ahigher predetermined level. The pressure switch 47 is coupled byelectrical leads 49 and 51 to an electrical power source and to themotor 41, respectively. Thus, the pressure switch 47 provides anautomatic on/off control for the motor 41 and assures that the pressureof the air in the chamber will remain within predetermined limits.

A pressure regulator 53 is mounted on the plate 45 in communication withthe upper end of the chamber 33. An air supply conduit 55 is connectedto the pressure regulator 53 and supplies compressed air to the labelapplicator 15. The pressure regulator 53 regulates the pressure of thecompressed air supplied to the label applicator 15. Suitable gauges suchas a pressure gauge 57 are also mounted on the plate 45 in communicationwith the chamber 33.

The mounting means 21 includes a column clamp 59 and a U-shaped frame61. The column clamp 59 compressively grips the column 19 with a forcewhich can be varied by turning of the crank 63. A rack 65 extendsaxially of the column 19 and through the column clamp 59. The rack 65 isheld against downward movement by a ring clamp 67. With the crank 63turned to loosen the column clamp 59, the column clamp can be movedaxially of the column 19 by turning of a crank 69. The column clamp 59includes appropriate gearing (not shown) which is driven by the crank 69and which cooperates with the rack 65 to cause the column 59 totranslate axially of the column 19. The column clamp 59 is known per se.

The frame 61 includes a pair of arms 71 and 73 interconnected by a bar75. The frame 61 is U-shaped in plan with the arms 71 and 73 beingshorter than the bar 75.

In the embodiment illustrated, the bar 75 is in the form of a metal barwhich is pivotally connected to the column clamp 59 for pivotal movementabout an axis XX. The frame 61 can be fixed in any desired angularposition about the axis XX by tightening of a nut 76 using a handle 77.

In the embodiment illustrated, each of the arms 71 and 73 is in the formof an elongated rod. The outer ends of the arms 71. and 73 are receivedin clamps 79. The label applicator 15 includes axially aligned stubshafts 81 projecting laterally outwardly from the label applicator inopposite directions and received by the clamps 79, respectively. Theportion of the clamp 79 which grips the stub shaft 81 can be loosened ortightened by a screw 83. By loosening of the screw 83, the labelapplicator 15 can be pivoted about the axis YY which is coaxial with thestub shafts 81. The axes XX and YY extend at 90 to each other.

The label applicator 15 may be of any construction which uses compressedair. In the embodiment illustrated, the label applicator 15 is of thetype described in copending application Ser. No. 100,283 which namesapplicant as a joint inventor. Generally, the label applicator 15includes a supporting structure 85, a storage reel 87, a takeup reel 89,and rollers 91 for moving a strip 93 having labels thereon from thestorage reel 87 to the takeup reel 89. The labels on the strip 93 areremoved in a conventional manner by a peeling bar 95 and retained on thelower face of a grid 97 by vacuum pressure within an applicator section99. The conduit 55 is coupled to the applicator section 99 and a controlvalve 101 is appropriately automatically opened and closed to allow theconduit 55 to supply bursts of compressed air to the applicator section99. When a blast of air is supplied to the applicator section 99, it hassuificient force to remove the label which is retained on the lower faceof the grid 97 and blow the same onto an article (not shown) beneath thegrid.

In use, the labelling apparatus 11 is first positioned in a horizontalplane by moving the apparatus as permitted by the rollers 23. The heightof the label applicator 15 is then adjusted by loosening of the crank 63and turning of the crank 69 to move the column clamp 59 up or down alongthe column 19. The crank 63 is then turned to securely tighten thecolumn clamp 59. The position of the applicator 15 about the axis XX canbe adjusted by turning of the handle 77 to loosen the pivotal connectionjoining the bar 75 to the clamp 59. This allows movement of the frame 61and the label applicator 15 as a unit about the axis XX. Positioning ofthe applicator 15 about the axis YY is accomplished by loosening of thescrews 83 and turning the applicator and the stub shafts 81 relative tothe clamp 79.

With the label applicator 15 properly positioned, it can be used in awell known manner to apply labels to articles brought adjacent to thegrid 97. As compressed air in the chamber 33 is used the pressure of theair within the chamber decreases. Cycling of the compressor 39 on andoil is controlled by the pressure switch 47 so that pressure within thechamber 33 is maintained within desired tolerances.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made byone having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a labeling machine which utilizes compressed aircomprising:

a base;

an elongated column mounted on said base and projecting upwardlytherefrom;

said column defining an elongated chamber therein for compressed air;

means for mounting the labeling machine on said column whereby thelabeling machine can be at least partially supported by said column; and

conduit means coupled to said column for transmitting compressed airfrom said chamber, said conduit means being attachable to the labelingmachine to supply compressed air from the chamber to the labelingmachine.

2. A support as defined in claim 1 including a drain opening in saidcolumn adjacent the lower end of said chamber to permit water to bedrained from said chamber.

3. A support as defined in claim 1 including a compressor mounted onsaid base and conduit means providing a passage between the compressorand said chamber so that the compressor can supply compressed air to thechamber.

4. A support as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includesfirst means for mounting the labeling machine for pivotal movement aboutat least two pivotal axes extending generally transverse relative toeach other and second means for mounting the labeling machine on saidcolumn for movement axially of said column.

5. A support as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includesa column clamp attached to said column, a frame mounted on said columnclamp for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, means for fixingsaid frame in any one of a plurality of positions about said firstpivotal axis, means for mounting the labeling ma? chine on said framefor pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, and means for fixingthe labeling machine in any one of a plurality of positions about saidsecond pivotal axis, said pivotal axes extending generally transverse toeach other and to the longitudinal axis of said column.

6. A support as defined in claim 5 wherein said mounting means includesa rack for moving the column clamp longitudinally of the column.

7. A support as defined in claim 6 including a drain opening in saidcolumn adjacent the lower end portion of said chamber to permit water tobe drained from said tank, a compressor mounted on said base, conduitmeans providing a passage between the compressor and said chamber sothat the compressor can supply compressed air to the chamber, saidconduit means for transmitting compressed air from said chamber beingcoupled to said column adjacent the upper end of said chamber, and aplurality of rollers on the base for supporting the base for movementalong a supporting surface.

8. A labelling apparatus comprising:

a base;

an elongated column mounted on said base and projecting upwardlytherefrom;

said column defining an elongated chamber therein for compressed air;

a label applicator for applying labels to articles;

means for mounting said label applicator on said column whereby saidcolumn supports the label applicator;

conduit means for conducting compressed air from the chamber to thelabel applicator; and

said label applicator including valve means for controllably releasingthe compressed air supplied thereto to cause the compressed air soreleased to blow a label onto an article.

9. A labelling apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said columnincludes an elongated tube and means for closing the opposite endportions of said tube to thereby define said chamber, said tube having adrain opening therein adjacent the lower end of said chamber, and meansfor selectively closing said drain opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,786,511 3/1957 Reid 156-4973,329,550 7/1967 Kuchek 156-497 3,483,059 12/1969 Dinter 156-4973,729,362 4/1973 French et al. 156-542 3,369,783 2/1968 Keating 248-191,587,505 6/1926 Chapman 248-13 2,654,147 10/1953 Wilson et al. 248-13ALFRED L. IJEAVITT, Primary Examiner 0 I. W. MASSIE, Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R. 156-542; 248-13

